Notice of Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028

Graphic featuring the title "Wexford County Development Plan 2022–2028 Proposed Variation No. 1 with an image of a rural landscape, river, and old castle.

Planning and Development Act 2024 

Notice of Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Section 58 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, that Wexford County Council has prepared Proposed Variation No. 1 to the Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028.

Reason for Proposed Variation No. 1

The purpose of the variation is to align the Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028 with the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended), which were published to give effect to the National Planning Framework First Revision (2025). 
The Guidelines require the Planning Authority to ensure that the necessary planning framework is in place, including sufficient residential zoned land, to facilitate the achievement of housing growth requirements over the period of the Wexford County Development Plan 2022- 2028 and beyond. The variation incorporates an updated Core Strategy table and associated changes.
Proposed Variation No. 1 includes the introduction of interim Land Use Zoning and Objectives for Enniscorthy Town and New Ross Town to replace expired plans and additional objectives with regard to the control of developments to which the SEVESO III Directive applies.

 

Content of Proposed Variation No. 1

The Proposed Variation comprises: 

  1. Revisions to the Core Strategy to align with the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2025);

  2. Introduction of Land Use Zoning and Objectives for Enniscorthy Town;

  3. Introduction of Land Use Zoning and Objectives for New Ross Town;

  4. Additional objectives with regard to the control of developments to which the SEVESO III Directive applies.

     

The Proposed Variation is accompanied by:

  • A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) screening determination made in accordance with subsection (5) of Section 58 of the Act;

  • An Appropriate Assessment (AA) screening determination made in accordance with subsection (6) of Section 58 of the Act;

  • An SEA Environmental Report prepared in accordance with the requirements of the SEA Regulations; 

  • An AA Natura Impact Report prepared in accordance with the requirements Part 6 of the Act; and

  • A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment in accordance with the requirements of “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities”, November 2009 (Office of Public Works, Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government).

 

Notice of Determination in Respect of the Appropriate Assessment of Proposed Variation No. 1 to the County Development Plan 2024-2030

With respect to the Determination in respect of the Appropriate Assessment of Proposed Variation No. 1 to the County Development Plan 2024-2030, on the basis of a screening for appropriate assessment, the planning authority has determined that the likelihood of Proposed Variation No. 1 to the County Development Plan 2024-2030 (either individually or in combination with any project or other plan) having significant effects on 27 European sites cannot be excluded (the potential effects that could arise from the Proposed Variation were examined in the context of several factors that could result in likely significant effects, if unmitigated, to any European site) and that, as a consequence and having regard to the conservation objectives relating to relevant European sites, an Appropriate Assessment of the Proposed Variation is required to be carried out. The Determination in relation to the need for Appropriate Assessment can be accessed at consult.wexfordcoco.ie
 

Public Display

A copy of Proposed Variation No.1 together with the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Determination and Environment Environment Report and Appropriate Assessment (AA) Determination and Natura Impact Report  will be on public display from Wednesday, 11th February 2026 to Thursday 12th March 2026 (inclusive) and can be inspected at the following locations, during their normal opening hours:

  • Online at consult.wexfordcoco.ie
  • Planning Reception, Planning Department, Wexford County Council, County Hall, Carricklawn, Wexford, Y35 WY93 
  • New Ross District Office, The Tholsel, Quay Street, New Ross, Co. Wexford Y34 CF64 
  • Enniscorthy District Office, Market Square, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Y21 W2V4

 

Note: The consultation portal consult.wexfordcoco.ie remains open at all times during the statutory consultation period. Public Meetings regarding Variation No. 1 will take place during the 4-week public consultation. Please refer to Wexford County Council Website and social media for further details. 

 

How to Make a Submission

Submissions or observations are invited and may be made in respect of Proposed Variation No.1, Strategic Environmental Assessment Report and Appropriate Assessment Screening Report before Thursday 12th March 2026 at 5:00p.m. and will be taken into consideration before the making of the variation. 

Please make your submission via one of the following mediums only:

  • Online, through the consultation portal consult.wexfordcoco.ie

  • In writing to; Forward Planning, Wexford County Council, County Hall, Carricklawn, Wexford, Y35 WY93 with the reference ‘Variation No. 1 Wexford County Development Plan 2022 - 2028’

     

Submissions and observations should state full name and address of the person making the submission and, where relevant, the body or organisation represented. Children or groups/associations representing the interests of children are welcome to make submissions. Late submissions will not be accepted. 

 

All submissions and observations received during the public consultation period will be published on the Council’s Consultation Portal, subject to redaction under General Data Protection Regulation Guidelines (GDPR) and will be taken into consideration before the making of the Proposed Variation No. 1. A report will be prepared on the submissions received and will include the names of those who made submissions. This will form part of the statutory Chief Executive’s Report to be presented to the full Council in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2024. It should be noted that submissions can only be considered if they relate to an element of the Proposed Variation; submissions that do not relate to the Proposed Variation will not be considered. 


Please ensure that your submission does not contain vexatious, libelous, or confidential information, including third-party personal data without consent. Wexford County Council reserves the right to redact any submission, in whole or in part, as necessary. All personal data (with the exemption of your name) provided will be processed in accordance with data protection legislation. 


Note: Wexford County Council is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (2014) and to the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).  Wexford County Council’s Data Protection policy can be read here: Wexford-County-Council-Data-Protection-Policy-GDPR-18.pdf

Deadline for Submissions:

Submissions MUST be received by Thursday, 12th March, 2026 at 5:00p.m.



 

Signed:

Elizabeth Hore

Director of Services 

Economic Development, Planning and Property Management

Gorey-Kilmuckridge District